Sometimes we feel a strange pressure to be profound or deep, as if finding joy in something simple is somehow shallow. We live in a world that often demands we confront the heavy, the complex, and the gritty. But Pierre-Auguste Renoir reminds us of a beautiful truth: there is immense value in seeking out the pretty. Art, and indeed our lives, do not always need to be a struggle or a critique of darkness. There is a sacred kind of courage in choosing to focus on the light, the soft colors, and the gentle moments that make existence worthwhile.
In our everyday lives, we are constantly bombarded with news of hardship and the weight of our own personal responsibilities. It can be easy to fall into the habit of thinking that if we aren't dwelling on the difficult parts, we aren't being authentic. But I truly believe that embracing beauty is a form of emotional survival. When we stop to admire a blooming flower, a well-plated meal, or a sunset, we aren't ignoring the unpleasant things; we are simply giving our souls the nourishment they need to keep going.
I remember a particularly rainy Tuesday a few months ago when everything seemed to be going wrong. I had spilled my tea, missed my bus, and felt quite overwhelmed by a long list of chores. I was sitting by my window, feeling quite gloomy, when I noticed a tiny, bright yellow dandelion pushing through a crack in the pavement outside. It was so vibrant and unapologetically bright against the grey concrete. In that moment, I stopped worrying about my to-do list and just looked at that little splash of color. It didn't solve my problems, but it changed my rhythm. It reminded me that beauty exists even in the cracks of a hard day.
We don't need to find deep, hidden meanings in every single thing we encounter. Sometimes, a beautiful melody is just a beautiful melody, and a lovely painting is just a lovely painting. Allowing yourself to be moved by prettiness is a way of honoring the goodness that still exists in the world. It is an act of kindness toward yourself.
Today, I want to encourage you to go on a little hunt for the pretty. Look for a soft texture, a pleasing color, or a sweet scent. Don't feel guilty for letting something beautiful catch your eye. Let the lightness of it lift your spirit, even if just for a moment.